On Saturday night Town Square at Disneyland came to life as the Candlelight Processional was presented twice. The narrator this year was Oscar Award winning actor Viola Davis. She joined the Candlelight choir, orchestra, handbell choir, soloists, and fanfare trumpeters to tell the story of Christmas from a stage built on the front of Main Street Station.
Viola Davis is an actor who has won an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and two Tony Awards making her the first and only African-American to achieve the Triple Crown of Acting. She also has six Screen Actors Guild Awards, which has her tied for the most wins for an actress. In 2020, TIME named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world for the third time. She also ranked as 9th on The New York Times list of greatest actors of the 21st century. Davis is also recognized for her advocacy work and support of human rights and equal rights for women and women of color.
She brought all of this to her narration of the Christmas Story during the Candlelight Processional at Disneyland. Throughout the evening, she shared the story with heart and passion. At times she gestured as she raised her voice to articulate different parts of the Christmas story. As the music played, she could be seen enjoying different songs and Christmas carols. At the end of the Candlelight Processional, she wrapped up her closing remarks with a very big “Merry Christmas!” as she held her hands out wide to all in attendance. Her narration was full of strength, passion, and conviction.
The music of the night, under the direction of Nancy Sulahian was beautiful. The atmosphere was equally gorgeous with the lights and staging for the area. The weather this year was also quite pleasant for those in attendance, with no rain or weather that was too cool.
The program this year was the same as recent years, it included the following music:
Candlelight Processional Songs:
- God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
- Here We Come A Caroling
- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
- It Came Upon a Midnight Clear
- Deck the Halls
- O Little Town of Bethlehem
- O Come All Ye Faithful
- O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Candlelight Ceremony Songs:
- Sing Praise to Him, Our Lord
- The First Noel
- Candlelight Carol
- He is Born
- Angels We Have Heard on High
- What Child is This
- We Three Kings
- Sing Noel
- Silent Night
- Joy to the World
- Hallelujah Chorus
The Candlelight Processional is a beautiful tradition at the Disneyland Resort. It makes for a perfect kick off for the Christmas season. While the holidays have already been celebrated for almost a month at the Disneyland Resort, for many in attendance, the Candlelight Processional weekend really kicks off the Christmas season. Generally, Viola Davis will also be narrating on Sunday night for two more performances of the Candlelight Processional. Daps Magic will be on hand to film one of those shows, weather permitting, as well.
